If you are at all like me, you use an online auction site, such as eBay, to purchase and sell merchandise online.? You might be interested to know that Internet auction fraud is the most common offense reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership of the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center.??This all too common online crime involves?the misrepresentation of a product advertised for sale through an Internet auction site, such as eBay.? Internet auction fraud can also come in the way of actual non-delivery of a product that you purchased through an Internet auction web site.? Internet auction fraud is a very real threat to your Internet security and privacy.
Fortunately there?are some steps you can take to help prevent becoming a victim of Internet auction fraud.? When it comes to Internet auction fraud, like other online threats, an ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure.
- Before you bid, it is wise to understand as much as possible about how the auction works.? Be sure to find out exactly what your obligations are as a buyer.? Don?t forget to find out what the seller?s obligations are as well.
- Find out precisely what action the online auction site?takes if a problem occurs.? You also might want to consider spending a few dollars to??insure the transaction and shipment.
- Learn as much as possible about the seller, especially if the only information you have is an e-mail address.? Avoid doing business with sellers you cannot identify.? Run, don?t walk away, from those who try to lure you off the auction site with promises of a better deal.
- If the seller is an actual business, make sure you check them out with Better Business Bureau where they are located.
- Have a look at??the feedback on the seller.
- Prior to bidding find out what method of payment the seller is asking from the buyer.? Also be sure to know?where they?are asking you to send the payment.
- Think twice about bidding if the seller resides outside of your country.? It could be much more difficult to take action against a seller who doesn?t live in your country, due to a difference in laws.
- If the seller insists on using a specific escrow or online payment service that you have never heard of, check it out.??Visit its website as well as call its customer service line.? If there isn?t one, or you call and are unable to reach anyone, don?t use that service.
- ?Ask the seller about when delivery of the item(s) can be expected. Also find out if there is a problem with the merchandise is it covered by a warranty or can you exchange it.
- To ensure no surprises with unexpected costs, find out if shipping and delivery are included in the auction price or are additional costs.
- ?Do not give out your social security number or drivers license to the seller.? There is no reason what so ever?to give this information to the seller.? This is a very real threat to your Internet security and privacy.??As scary at it sounds the seller could use?this personal information to steal your identity.? This could lead you to be added to the ever-growing list of victims of identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada and the USA.
As you can see there are a few basic steps you can take to help prevent you from becoming yet another victim of Internet auction fraud.
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